Where: UD Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN+/ AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO
» FOLLOW THE FLYERS: All the links you need for the season in one place
Probable Dayton starters
Josh Cunningham, 6-8, R-Sr., 14.8
Jalen Crutcher, 6-1, So., G, 13.3
Trey Landers, 6-5, Jr., G, 10.1
Ryan Mikesell, 6-7, R-Jr., F, 9.8
Jordan Davis, 6-2, So., G, 9.2
Probable Western Michigan starters
Seth Dugan, 7-0, Sr., C, 16.6
Michael Flowers, 6-1, So., G, 15.3
Josh Davis, 6-5, Sr., G, 12.7
Kawanise Wilkins, 6-5, So., F, 8.2
Jared Printy, 6-4, Jr., G, 7.8
» EASIER STRETCH: Dayton’s road ahead filled with winnable games
Series history: Dayton leads 1-0. The Flyers won 85-80 on Feb. 12, 1972, at UD Arena. Donald Smith led the Flyers with 23 points in that game.
Coaches: Anthony Grant is 19-22 in his second season at Dayton. Steve Hawkins is 275-224 in 16 seasons at Western Michigan.
Last game: Dayton lost 72-67 to Tulsa on Sunday. Western Michigan lost 70-62 at Michigan.
About Dayton: The Flyers have lost five of their last six games after a 4-0 start. It's the worst six-game stretch since January 2014 when they started 1-5 in Atlantic 10 play. … Forward Obi Toppin ranks fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage (69.7, 53 of 76). … Landers leads the team in rebounding average (7.4). … Dayton and Western Michigan have one common opponent: Detroit Mercy. Dayton beat the Titans 98-59. Western Michigan beat them 89-76. … Dayton's strength of schedule ranks 52nd in the country. … Dayton ranks 316th in the country in average possession length (18.8 seconds). The national average is 17.1.
About Western Michigan: The Broncos finished 17-15 last season. Their last NCAA tournament appearance came in 2014. … Dugan ranks 21st in the country with 9.9 rebounds per game. … Western Michigan ranks last in the Mid-American Conference in turnover margin (minus 5.0). The Broncos rank 42nd in the country in free-throw attempts. They average 25.3 attempts per game. … Dugan had 32 points and 22 rebounds against Detroit Mercy. … Printy is the team's top 3-point shooter (20 of 48, 41.7 percent). … The Broncos are 0-3 against teams ranked in the top 100 of the Pomeroy ratings, losing 90-64 to No. 59 Mississippi, 78-52 to Cincinnati and also to No. 4 Michigan. Dayton ranks 86th. Dayton is 1-4 against top-100 teams
Looking ahead: Dayton plays Presbyterian at 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at UD Arena.
About the Author
